By Amy Barrilleaux
Madison Water Utility

There’s nothing all that exciting about a toilet. But 17,126 toilets? That’s another story.

In 2009 Madison Water Utility began offering customers $100 rebates to replace old, water-wasting toilets with high-efficiency WaterSense models. Since then, thousands of Madison home and business owners have taken advantage of the Toilet Rebate Program, replacing more than 17,000 old toilets and saving an estimated 1,088,847,183 gallons of water.

“That is a big number,” said Marie Van Aartsen, the Madison Water Utility customer service supervisor who oversees the program. “We’re excited to save such a large amount of such a precious resource.”

Van Aartsen said old toilets are notorious water wasters. That vintage 1950s pink toilet sitting in the downstairs half-bath likely uses 5 gallons of treated drinking water with every flush.

“That was just the norm. You really didn’t think about it,” Van Aartsen said. “But we want people to think about it. The Toilet Rebate Program has a dual function — besides saving water, it’s also a way for us to get the conservation message out.”

And it’s not just homeowners the utility is trying to reach. Old water-wasting toilets can be seen in businesses, restaurants and bars across Madison. That’s why Madison Water Utility recently expanded its rebate program to include all buildings — from schools to apartments to restaurants to shopping centers. 

The Toilet Rebate Program’s $100 bill credits are first-come, first-served until funding is exhausted. Madison Water Utility customers can find more information about the program at MadisonWater.org or by calling 608-266-4651.